My hopes for COP30

By Guillermo Otano, Alboan y GIAN Justice in Mining Coordinator

My hopes for this COP30 are not about ambitious compromises and distant deadlines, but for honest and inclusive conversations. Of the many topics addressed in Belem, this is specially important for the meaning of Justice in the context of the energy transitions.

Until very recently talks about energy transitions at the COPs focused on the National Determined Contributions (decarbonization goals) and the need to invest and scale low carbon emission technologies. However, there was a big elephant in the room: the critical raw materials needed to build those technologies, and the fact that many of these minerals are located in indigenous lands and vulnerable ecosystems.

The peoples who inhabit these territories are not just “stakeholders” but right-holders. Their views matter the most. The moment everyone realizes that, the whole discussion on transitions changes. That’s my hope.